Clerk of Court

DEKALB COUNTY (GEORGIA) STATE & MAGISTRATE COURTS
CLERK OF COURT

Salary: $185,414 | FLSA Status: Exempt | At-Will, Non-Merit, Judicial Branch Position

Position Overview
Located in Decatur, Georgia, the DeKalb County State and Magistrate Courts are seeking a highly experienced, strategic, and collaborative leader to serve as the Clerk of the State Court and Magistrate Court. This position is a key member of the non-elected senior leadership team, responsible for directing and managing all clerk’s office functions for both the State Court and Magistrate Court.
The Clerk serves as the official custodian of court records and oversees a large, complex operation that is managed through the additional support of three Chief Deputy Clerks, and a cadre of managers, supervisors, and other support personnel. The office consists of approximately 150 employees, operates seven days per week, and processes approximately 120,000 cases annually. As a high-volume enterprise, the Office of the Clerk of Court requires a leader with strong operational, managerial, and organizational expertise.
This very demanding yet rewarding leadership role requires consistent use of sound professional judgment, excellent written and verbal communication skills, and precise business acumen when working with judges, other elected officials, attorneys, staff, and the general public.

Minimum Qualifications
Juris Doctor (J.D.), or a Master’s Degree in Business Administration, Public Administration, Political Science, or a closely related field required. Minimum of ten (10) years of progressively responsible experience in court, judicial, or legal services.
Required Licenses/Certifications: State issued driver’s license
Must be bondable. Incumbent is required to bondable by a Georgia licensed surety company. Must successfully pass a county-administered physical examination, drug testing, professional background check, and criminal background check. No exceptions.
Oath of Office: Must be willing to swear or affirm to an oath of office.
Preferred qualifications: At least five (5) years of senior management experience, preferably within a comparably sized court/judicial/governmental organization.

Key Responsibilities
The following duties are representative of the position. Additional responsibilities may be assigned as needed.
Leadership & Administration: Manages, directs, and evaluates assigned staff; addresses employee concerns; provides coaching and counseling; administers discipline; and completes performance evaluations for a large, diverse workforce.
Strategic Planning: Develops and implements long-term and short-term plans, goals, and objectives; evaluates departmental effectiveness and efficiency; and revises policies, procedures, and programs to meet evolving operational demands.
Compliance & Legal Oversight: Ensures compliance with all applicable laws, codes, regulations, and policies; provides guidance to court officials, attorneys, staff, and the public; and maintains current knowledge of legal and regulatory changes impacting court operations.
Financial Management: Monitors the departmental budget; ensures fiscal accountability; and oversees financial documentation and reporting.
Operations Management: Directs daily clerk and records operations for two independent courts; coordinates with supervisory staff to resolve issues; ensures efficient processing of a substantial caseload; and leads continuous process improvement initiatives.
Funds Administration: Oversee the disbursement of funds for the State Court and Magistrate Court, including payments to government agencies, the county general fund, as well as state required recipients, litigants, and vendors; ensures accuracy of financial records; and manages reporting requirements.
Records Custodianship: Serves as the official keeper of the record; signs legal documents; oversees document processing, subpoena issuance, and records maintenance in compliance with judicial branch records retention laws and guidelines.
Court Coordination: Oversees preparation and maintenance of daily court calendars; ensures accurate scheduling of hearings and proceedings; and communicates updates to all relevant parties.
Reporting & State Compliance: Ensures the accurate and timely reporting of annual case count data to the Judicial Council of Georgia/Administrative Office of the Courts; maintains data integrity and implements processes to support reliable reporting and transparency.
Open Records Requests: Prepares responses to public records requests received pursuant to the Georgia Open Records Act and coordinates with DeKalb County Attorney regarding same.
Professional Requirements: Attends and completes state-mandated training for Clerks of Court as required by Georgia law; remains current on statutory and procedural changes affecting clerk’s office policy and procedures.
Performance Aptitudes
Data Utilization: Ability to synthesize and analyze complex data to support strategic planning, forecasting, and high-level decision-making.
Human Interaction: Demonstrated capacity to lead at an executive level, with significant internal and external stakeholder engagement.
Technical & Operational Skills: Proficiency in managing systems, tools, and processes essential to court and records administration.
Communication Skills: Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to convey complex legal and procedural information clearly and effectively to diverse audiences.
Mathematical Aptitude: Ability to perform standard and advanced calculations related to budgeting, financial tracking, and operational metrics.
Functional Reasoning: Ability to apply logical and analytical thinking to complex organizational challenges and develop effective, practical solutions.
Work Environment & Impact: This is a high-impact executive leadership role overseeing a large-scale, fast-paced court operation. The department’s continuous seven-day-per-week schedule and high case volume require a leader who can balance strategic vision with operational execution while maintaining the highest standards of accuracy, accountability, and public service.
Equal Opportunity Employer: The DeKalb County State and Magistrate Courts are Equal Opportunity Employers. In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), the County will provide reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities and encourages both prospective and current employees to discuss potential accommodations.

To Apply: Submit cover letter, résumé, and the names and telephone numbers of three professional references to: courtcareers@dekalbcountyga.gov. Deadline to apply: June 12, 2026. No phone calls. Only candidates selected for an interview will be contacted.